Monday, 29 December 2014

Spot the tiny snowflakes on the brim of my hat? Yeah, that's how cold it was. It was totally worth it, though, as the pictures turned out ah-maz-zing if I may say so myself. I had such a hard time picking which of the 17 photos I had edited I should upload in the end. The StyleMoi kimono I'm wearing is one of my new favourites at the moment - it makes me feel like a gypsy queen and I absolutely love it. It looks like it has been tie-dyed but it's actually a print! I got it in a size large and it just fits perfectly. Plus, it's on sale at the moment so snag it up while you can!
I paired the kimono with some distressed secondhand Levi's shorts, that I got from another blogger, and with a pair of super cute chelsea boots from Forever 21.

By the way, I have a small teaser for you!

Keep your eyes open for Sunday as I'm starting into the new year with a bang! I'm super excited and I hope you are, too!

Sunday, 28 December 2014

I'm pretty much wrapping up 2014 with a set of recent favourites. I haven't tried out that many new products during December but I still found some things that I loved and that I wanted to share with you! There are still some ootd posts to come but this is already the last beauty and lifestyle related post of the year. Can you believe how time flies? I certainly can't!Yankee Candle 'Fireside Treats' Housewarmer Jar
This is one of my Christmas presents I got this year! I wanted a Yankee candle for ages and was so happy when I finally got this one. It smells heavenly, the scent is strong but not overwhelming and it will last me for quite some time.

Essie 'Wicked'
I won this nail varnish in a giveaway recently and I couldn't be happier that I did because I wanted to pick it up sooner or later anyway. It's a gorgeous, dark red that almost looks like black. I've been wearing it nonstop lately!

Schwarzkopf Gliss Kur Total Repair Antihaarbruchkur
I got this hair treatment because I felt like my hair needed a boost and because it was permanently reduced at my local drugstore. It didn't let me down - my hair felt super silky after rinsing this out and is much more manageable, which is exactly what I wanted to achieve.

The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies

A great movies with some minor errors, which don't make it any less watchworthy. If you're a fan and haven't seen it already, I urge you to check it out right away! I'm also a little bit obsessed with Lee Pace's Thranduil in that film, not gonna lie.

Vlogmas

I've been enjoying vlogmas videos greatly, even though I kinda fell off watching them during the end.

I also have two Fashion favourites I got in the mail on Christmas eve, which you will be able to see in my next two outfit posts!

Thursday, 25 December 2014

I got this dress at Brandy Melville after falling head over heels with it thanks to countless Instagram posts and Lookbook videos. Well, I love it on others but I'm not really sure I like it on myself. I think it just looks waaaay too big and especially too long on me. What do you think? If I don't like it, I'll probably end up selling it since I only wore it for this shoot. It's such a shame! I really want to like oversized t-shirt dresses but so far nothing really worked for me.
Please excuse my red-ish nose in these pictures. I'm still shooting autumnal outfits even though it's long winter, but I just don't want to shuffle between the same 2-3 coats every outfit post, you feel me? I really need to get my hands on a proper indoors shooting location.

I hope all of you had a lovely Christmas eve! I wish you wonderful holidays!

Monday, 22 December 2014

I've been waiting for a chance to style this jeans jacket properly ever since I got it off eBay for way more than it is actually worth. The thing is, I saw a similar one at Urban Outfitters and fell in love with it three years back but they couldn't sell it to me because it was on display. (boo!) The jacket I eventually got then ended up at the back of my closet for about two years until I pulled it out for this outfit post. I just couldn't make it work before!
Also, let's take a second to appreciate how my regrowth totally looks brown in these pictures. I'm not sure how that happened, my hair looks much lighter in reality.

Sunday, 21 December 2014

If there's something I've always loved on other people but never got into myself it's complicated nailart. Sure, I love stickers and all that jazz but my nails are just way too tiny to pull off anything that goes beyond two different colours. Which is exactly why I went for something toned down yet festive for Christmas. Here is what I'm planning to wear on my nails!

Base: Benecos Pepper Green

A gorgeous, muted petrol nail varnish I recently won in a giveaway held by the lovely Svetlana of LavenderStar. I love how this nail varnish is super versatile and not too bright so it'll go with loads of different outfits and accessories. The brush is quite small - which I love since it suits the size of my nails super well.

Accent: Primark Glitter Nail Varnish from 2011

I only really dug this one up for this manicure as I hardly ever used Primark's nail varnishes anymore. I remembered why quite promptly: It smells horrendously and takes ages to dry. I can't recommend this one at all but it'll do for Christmas.

Top Coat: Essie All in One Base + Top Coat + Strengthener

Something to hold everything in place. I think it works better as a base but it's decent either way.

What are you going to wear on your nails for Christmas? Are you going for the classic red or are you planning to change it up a little?

Thursday, 18 December 2014

When we first shot this outfit it was so sunny that we actually had to do a double-take. Here's the second try, and if you ask me, I'd say that the gloomier weather suits my get-up much better than the sunshine we shot in earlier this week.
The leggings I'm wearing are one of my favourites from Black Milk Clothing. I snagged them up via Facebook after originally missing out on them. I wasn't even sure if I'd wear them once they came in the mail but I just had to have them for their name, "Rotten Elf". I'm absolutely obsessed with elves and it's getting a little out of hand recently, as you could see on my Instagram. Anyway, I finally went to see the last Hobbit film yesterday and I was blown away by it's awesomeness. If you haven't seen it yet, I'd highly urge you to do so!

Monday, 15 December 2014

Following up my previous review on the cleanser of Innisfree's Green Tea line, I'm going to share my opinion on the moisturiser from the same line today. The Green Tea Seed Cream is the more lightweight of two creams. It is enriched with fresh green tea seeds and squeezed green tea from the Jeju island to deliver moisture and nourishment deep into your skin. The cream's ingredients list is based on the 5-free system, which means that it is free from Parabens and other potentially harmful substances.

One jar contains 50ml of product and retails for around 20$.

The cream is milky white and feels very soothing on the skin. It's lightweight, moisturising and a little goes a long way. I found that it works great with my normal - combination skin as it does not supply an abundance of moisture or make my skin feel greasy. It takes a little while to set, but once it is completely absorbed there is no noticeable stickiness left. This makes the Innisfree Green Tea Seed Cream a great base for make-up or a good option to mix your own tinted moisturiser with your favourite foundation.
The only downside of this cream is that is has fragrance added to it, which makes it smell lovely like green tea and flowers but that might not be for you if you're sensitive towards scented products.
As mentioned above, this is the lightweight version. If you struggle with dry skin, you might want to check out Innisfree's Green Tea Deep Seed Cream instead!

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Saturday, 13 December 2014

With only a mere 11 days to go until Christmas and everyone getting more and more festive by the day, what better way is there to prepare than to create a checklist? I don't know about you guys but I love lists. Checklists, shopping lists, wishlists... they're just so handy! But without further ado, here is my Christmas checklist:

Do the rest of the Christmas shopping

Wrap everyone's presents

Get a Christmas tree

Start decorating every room of the flat but my own (Note: It's not like I don't want to, but the builders next door make it impossible. Everything keeps falling down.)

Buy a lot of scented candles and light them

Bake cookies

Stay clear of any festive fashion purchases you'll regret later

Put together festive outfits for various occasions

Don't stress yourself over small things

Relax

Is there anything that needs to be on your Christmas checklist that I've forgotten?

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Wednesday, 10 December 2014

As you may know, I'm all about Korean skincare and green tea, which means that it was only a matter of time until I'd decide to dip into Innisfree's green tea range. First off, I'm going to give you my impression of the Innisfree Green Tea Pure Cleansing Foam.

This cleansing foam is enriched with a green tea complex from Jeju island. It gently cleanses the face from dust, provides sebum control and 88% of its ingredients are of a natural origin. 150ml cost around 9$ sans shipping.

The cleanser comes out as a thick, white cream that lathers up quite nicely. It does not contain any exfoliation particles, which makes it a good option for daily cleansing. Innisfree's Green Tea Pure Cleansing Foam contains fragrance so it might not be for you if you know that your skin is sensitive towards them. It is very gentle to my skin (normal / combination) and leaves it feeling clean but moisturized. I find that it removes make-up decently, but it can't be used for eye-make-up removal as it does sting when it comes in contact with your eyes.

I personally like this cleanser a lot because it doesn't dry out my skin like other cleansers but it still leaves it feeling nice and fresh. I can honestly recommend this product if you're looking for a good and budget-friendly cleanser!

Monday, 8 December 2014

I can hardly remember the last time I wore flats in one of my outfit posts even though I wear them all the time. It's just so much more comfortable to throw on a pair of boots when running errands than to stumble across the cobbled roads in heels.
The t-shirt was a Vinted find, a website that I've been frequenting for bargains a lot recently. I just love second hand shopping and Vinted (Kleiderkreisel, if you're from a German-speaking region) just makes it so easy!

Saturday, 6 December 2014

Are you in a festive mood yet? I'm not too sure about myself yet, but I absolutely love the decorations that are starting to be put up everywhere now, especially on the high street! Everything is just too pretty! This version of my gift guide was definitely harder to create than the first one, but I'm very positive that there is something for every kind of guy in here!

Clothes
This seems like a no-brainer, but it's not as easy as it looks. There is hardly any variety in guy's fashion (well, less than there is in women's anyway) so you will have to know exactly what is going to be worn and what is going to end up on the "Ugly Christmas Sweater" stash.

Accessories
Not only ladies wear jewelry, which is why silver rings or leather bracelets would make such great gifts. Alternatively, you could go for a nice backpack, messenger back, a nice notebook or - if applicable - for a flashy smartphone case.

Toiletries
Perfume sets, shaving sets, traveling sets... the list is endless. Just make sure that whatever you buy will be used. A beard trimming set for someone who likes to shave blank might not be a whole success.

For the Reader
Books are always a great gift. It doesn't matter whether you choose to gift them digitally or on the traditional way, whether it's a novel, an autobiography or something for the coffee table - you can find something for any taste.

For the (hobby-)Photographer
If you're not into cameras and you're afraid you could screw up with the wrong gift, why don't go for some photography-inspired gadget like these shot glasses or a coffee mug in the shape of a Canon lens instead? Alternatively, Instant cameras or Lomography cameras have been on trend lately so it's extremely easy to get hold of them again.

For the Gamer
This one is easy as long as you know what genre he likes. Just keep an eye on the latest gaming releases and, please, for the love of god, don't get an XBox game if he has a PlayStation.

Personalised Gifts & DIY
Nothing is more personal than something self-made or custom-made. If you're short of ideas, just have a quick look through Pinterest, I'm sure you'll find something suitable there.

And if all of the above still don't cater for the needs of the guy you're getting a gift for, you can still resort to a gift card for his favourite restaurant in a christmas-y envelope.

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Wednesday, 3 December 2014

As a daughter of a hairdresser, I can count off the times I actually visited a salon on one hand. It was not a bad experience, but I do have to say that I prefer having full control over how I want my hair to look like. It's not that I don't trust in my local hair stylists' skills, I just don't trust their perception of measurements. Now, if you do want to cut your hair at home, here are some tips on how to do it right!

1) Use sharp scissors.
I can't stress this enough. If you use blunt scissors to cut your hair, you'll get split ends. I'd advise you to get a pair of hair shears that you only use on your hair and on nothing else.

2) Know what you're going for before you start.
Do you want a blunt hemline, layers or something completely different? There are a lot of guides online as to how to do different cuts yourself so I won't go into great detail here as everyone's taste in haircuts is different.

3) Keep the split ends at bay
First things first - you can't repair split ends. That's a myth that is spread to sell expensive products, which is why you'll need to get rid of them sooner or later. Split ends are caused by friction, heat styling or chemically treating your hair. Here is a graphic that shows you what you're looking for if you're checking for splits.

-> Microtrims
You should cut your hair on a somewhat regular basis. Most hair stylists recommend to get a trim every 6-8 weeks. Cutting off a portion of your regrowth, preferably 0.5cm (0.25inches) each month will minimize split ends a lot. This method is great if you don't want to spend too much time trimming your hair. However, if you want to grow your hair out, you'll have to be aware of your own hair growth rate or else you might cut off too much, which will slow down your growth.

-> Search and Destroy
With this method, you target split ends and white dots directly by cutting them off one by one. Overall, your hair will grow faster using this method as opposed to microtrimming as you're only cutting single hairs. However, this method is really time consuming if you have loads or very thin hair, like me.

-> Twist your hair and cut off everything that pokes out of the twist
I personally don't like this method because I don't find it valid since everyone's hair is different lengths and there will be hair that's poking out of the twist that's perfectly healthy. I do agree that this method works for pointing out split ends, though. Just don't cut off everything that sticks out of the twist!

4) Don't overdo it.
When you cut your hair yourself, go slow. You can always cut off more if you don't like it, but you can't reattach hair that has been cut off!

Monday, 1 December 2014

I finally found them. The perfect pair of boyfriend jeans for my frame. I can't say how long I've been on the lookout for a pair that wasn't either far too big on my waist or that went way past my ankles when rolled up but now I can call them mine! I got them in a size XS and they fit like a glove! They're super soft and go perfectly with a pair of chunky boots and a graphic tee, like the "Parental Advisory, Explicit Content" one I paired them with. A match made in heaven. Too bad the weather here is going for the worst so I won't have many opportunities to wear them until next season, which is really sad because I could totally see myself with these and a fancy crop!
The shirt is another piece that I've wanted ever since I've seen the print pop up on Instagram for the first time. I think it's witty and not too over-the-top like graphic tees tend to be.

Disclaimer

Items that have been gifted by a brand or PR company for purposes of review or promotion are marked with an asterisk (*). All my opinions are 100% genuine, I would never say something positive about a product if I don't mean it.